One broad essay question, one hour to write; in 2026 all Equity and Trusts students will complete the interim exam. There is a new chapter in the Guide to Academic Success providing advice on how to:
- prepare for the interim exam,
- make the most of the time on the day, and
- deeply analyse the question (in a short amount of time!).
This article summarises key points; for fuller guidance follow this link.
Exam essays differ from research essays. There is no need to research for the Equity and Trusts interim exam, you should focus on the subject materials and lecture content. In the exam, you will have less time to reflect on your argument than you would for a research essay. This makes planning and preparation critical. Your analysis of the question posed is key to your success.
Preparing for the Interim Exam/Exam Essays
Take every opportunity to critically engage with the subject materials and participate in class discussions. Pay particular attention to:
- The articles provided with each topic. Form your own view on whether you agree with the author’s argument, and any counterarguments presented.
- Dissenting judgments in the cases, or judicial critiques of other cases.
- The themes highlighted in class and used for class discussion. Pay attention to your lecturer’s expressed opinions and decide if you agree with them.
Preparation should give you a bank of ideas, authorities and arguments, and your task in the interim exam is to apply them to the question you are asked, not the question you hoped you would be asked.
Planning – use the reading time wisely
Read the question at least twice. If to have immediate thoughts on how to respond, write a few brief notes. If you are not sure how to respond, do not panic. Take a breath. Work through these steps to analyse the question:
Step 1: Reframe the question.
Equity and Trust interim exam questions often ask you to analyse a statement. Reframe the statement as a question.
Step 2: What is your initial response to the question?
This will likely be the start of your argument. Write this out as a single sentence.
Step 3: Understand the topic and choose your focus
Consider why you are being asked this question and how it relates to the subject material. What is the underlying topic, and what topic or theme do you want to focus on?
The Equity & Trusts interim exam consists of one broad question designed to allow you to choose how you focus your response, drawing from the examinable topics and the themes considered in the first weeks of the subject. You will not have time to canvas all themes relevant to the question you are given. Choose a focus that resonates with you (and aligns with your study focus if possible!).
Step 4: Develop your argument (using the statement from Step 2). Aim to:
- express (succinctly) why this is your view; and
- to encompass your chosen focus.
Step 5: Determine your key points.
he Equity & Trusts interim exam is one hour (with 15 minutes reading time). We suggest you aim to have 3-5 key points to support your argument (1-2 may address counterarguments).
If you have more than five points, look critically at whether any points may be combined or choose the ones that resonate the most with you. If you have less than 3, this is still a good starting point, and you may choose to cover fewer points in more detail.
Step 6: Revisit and finalise your argument
Now that you have your key points does your argument need to be updated? It you are unsure of your argument put something down at this stage and keep coming back as you write.
Writing time
From the above steps you have started to build your structure. When the writing time begins, start by (quickly) laying out the structure in your workspace.
First, type the heading ‘introduction’ and under it add your argument. Then, add your chosen key points in the order you intend to address them – you might add section headings at the same time (or leave it for later if you are unsure). At the end type the heading ‘conclusion’.
Check the time remaining and divide it by the number of paragraphs + one. For example, if you have 5 key points this is 7 paragraphs with your introduction and conclusion. If there is 50 minutes remaining you will have 7 minutes for each paragraph and 7-8 minutes for your final check over the essay.
Substantive writing – Introduction
You introduction should:
- briefly introduce the topic and any particular focus you have chosen;
- set out your argument; and
- provide an overview of your key points.
If possible, reserve time at the end to revisit and finalise your introduction. Your analysis will develop as you write, meaning your argument may differ from what you originally intended at the start of the exam. By finalising the introduction at the end, you can tailor it to what you have written, rather than relying on what you anticipate you will write.
Substantive writing – key points
The main body of the essay should be organised into paragraphs which address one key point. A well written paragraph will start with a topic sentence which introduces your key point and then substantiate that point. Where possible you might include counterarguments and explain why your view is to be preferred. We recommend paragraphs are 150-250 words.
Note: In the interim exam you can briefly acknowledge sources which support your points by putting a short form reference in brackets such as (Breen) to refer to the case of Breen v Williams, or (Langbein) to refer to Langbein’s article on commercial trusts (footnotes with full citations are not required).
Substantive writing – conclusion
Ideally, your conclusion will not include any new information. Your conclusions should reiterate your argument and highlight the key points that support your argument.
Final review
Not all students will be able to reserve time to do a final review of the essay. However, it is highly recommended that you at least revisit your introduction. If your argument developed as you wrote, adjust this in your introduction.
All you can do is your best
Wherever you get to at the end of the exam time, know that you have given it your best effort. While the process outlined here may seem achievable, in the heat of the moment in the exam, you may end up following another path. Prepare as thoroughly as possible and plan how you will approach the exam. Use the reading time to develop your argument and key points and plan your structure. This will allow you during the writing to focus on demonstrating your analytical skills by making, and substantiating, an argument.
A fuller version of this advice is available here (Chapter 17 of the Guide to Academic Success) and includes a worked example using a fictional question.
One broad essay question, one hour to write; in 2026 all Equity and Trusts students will complete the interim exam. There is a new chapter in the Guide to Academic Success providing advice on how to:
This article summarises key points; for fuller guidance follow this link.
Exam essays differ from research essays. There is no need to research for the Equity and Trusts interim exam, you should focus on the subject materials and lecture content. In the exam, you will have less time to reflect on your argument than you would for a research essay. This makes planning and preparation critical. Your analysis of the question posed is key to your success.
Preparing for the Interim Exam/Exam Essays
Take every opportunity to critically engage with the subject materials and participate in class discussions. Pay particular attention to:
Preparation should give you a bank of ideas, authorities and arguments, and your task in the interim exam is to apply them to the question you are asked, not the question you hoped you would be asked.
Planning – use the reading time wisely
Read the question at least twice. If to have immediate thoughts on how to respond, write a few brief notes. If you are not sure how to respond, do not panic. Take a breath. Work through these steps to analyse the question:
Step 1: Reframe the question.
Equity and Trust interim exam questions often ask you to analyse a statement. Reframe the statement as a question.
Step 2: What is your initial response to the question?
This will likely be the start of your argument. Write this out as a single sentence.
Step 3: Understand the topic and choose your focus
Consider why you are being asked this question and how it relates to the subject material. What is the underlying topic, and what topic or theme do you want to focus on?
The Equity & Trusts interim exam consists of one broad question designed to allow you to choose how you focus your response, drawing from the examinable topics and the themes considered in the first weeks of the subject. You will not have time to canvas all themes relevant to the question you are given. Choose a focus that resonates with you (and aligns with your study focus if possible!).
Step 4: Develop your argument (using the statement from Step 2). Aim to:
Step 5: Determine your key points.
he Equity & Trusts interim exam is one hour (with 15 minutes reading time). We suggest you aim to have 3-5 key points to support your argument (1-2 may address counterarguments).
If you have more than five points, look critically at whether any points may be combined or choose the ones that resonate the most with you. If you have less than 3, this is still a good starting point, and you may choose to cover fewer points in more detail.
Step 6: Revisit and finalise your argument
Now that you have your key points does your argument need to be updated? It you are unsure of your argument put something down at this stage and keep coming back as you write.
Writing time
From the above steps you have started to build your structure. When the writing time begins, start by (quickly) laying out the structure in your workspace.
First, type the heading ‘introduction’ and under it add your argument. Then, add your chosen key points in the order you intend to address them – you might add section headings at the same time (or leave it for later if you are unsure). At the end type the heading ‘conclusion’.
Check the time remaining and divide it by the number of paragraphs + one. For example, if you have 5 key points this is 7 paragraphs with your introduction and conclusion. If there is 50 minutes remaining you will have 7 minutes for each paragraph and 7-8 minutes for your final check over the essay.
Substantive writing – Introduction
You introduction should:
If possible, reserve time at the end to revisit and finalise your introduction. Your analysis will develop as you write, meaning your argument may differ from what you originally intended at the start of the exam. By finalising the introduction at the end, you can tailor it to what you have written, rather than relying on what you anticipate you will write.
Substantive writing – key points
The main body of the essay should be organised into paragraphs which address one key point. A well written paragraph will start with a topic sentence which introduces your key point and then substantiate that point. Where possible you might include counterarguments and explain why your view is to be preferred. We recommend paragraphs are 150-250 words.
Note: In the interim exam you can briefly acknowledge sources which support your points by putting a short form reference in brackets such as (Breen) to refer to the case of Breen v Williams, or (Langbein) to refer to Langbein’s article on commercial trusts (footnotes with full citations are not required).
Substantive writing – conclusion
Ideally, your conclusion will not include any new information. Your conclusions should reiterate your argument and highlight the key points that support your argument.
Final review
Not all students will be able to reserve time to do a final review of the essay. However, it is highly recommended that you at least revisit your introduction. If your argument developed as you wrote, adjust this in your introduction.
All you can do is your best
Wherever you get to at the end of the exam time, know that you have given it your best effort. While the process outlined here may seem achievable, in the heat of the moment in the exam, you may end up following another path. Prepare as thoroughly as possible and plan how you will approach the exam. Use the reading time to develop your argument and key points and plan your structure. This will allow you during the writing to focus on demonstrating your analytical skills by making, and substantiating, an argument.
A fuller version of this advice is available here (Chapter 17 of the Guide to Academic Success) and includes a worked example using a fictional question.